Cam lock area creaking noise on Oasis Tandem

My '07 Oasis with maybe 400 miles on it has developed a creaking noise (like a creaking wooden rocking chair or loose wooden floor board in a house) coming from the cam lock area. I can reduce it to some extent by loosening a cam lock one click, but obviously running with a cam lock loose is not good for the cam bolt columns, so I can't run like that.

The noise seems to only occur after I have already pedaled for maybe 1/2 mile or so...as if heat buildup or ??? is causing it.

My concern is that perhaps a crack has developed in the cam bolt column area, and that continued operation will only make the crack get bigger/longer. Or has someone else out there had the same creak and determined what was causing it?

My Mirage Drives are fine, and the creaking occurs with either my regularly used Drive, or the other Drive which I have rarely used.

I can also cause the creaking to occur by simply gently pushing forward on both pedals at the same time and then releasing them.

I don't have TurboFins, I don't pedal particularly strongly nor travel fast very much, I keep my Drives lubricated and adjusted, I adjust the cam locks finger tight (just enough to remove any play), I don't apply (excessive) pressure to both pedals at the same time (except to test the creaking...see above), and I am very careful to not strike objects underwater so there has been no unusual stress upon the cam bolt columns from any of these sources.

The only unusual useage on my part would be that I use the kayak as a solo kayak almost exclusively, which might put some extra stress on the rear drive well area vs. if I always had a second pedaler up front.

Has anyone else experienced this creaking noise?

Jerry

Hi Jerry
I have a 07 Revolution and Tubro Fins
I have noticed the same noise in the same way.
I removed the drive and the large center pin was off about 1/8"
beat it back over and that seamed to help
but I am not sure.
Bert

Hi Jerry and welcome to the forum.

Using a mirror and flashlight, inspect your cam columns via your 8" hatches. Any crack would likely show up in the inboard side just above the bottom of your cam column(s). If you see a crack, notify your dealer. The Oases seem to be pretty problem free, but nothing is perfect.

Your hull has a 2 year warranty, so don't be afraid to use it. Do keep those cams nice and (hand) tight. IMO, if there is no visible problem, there is not much to do yet except keep an eye on things and see what develops.

One of my 2 Mirage drives also has a creaking sound, both pedals, at about 2/3 into the throw. The nearest I can figure is it happens where the cable coming around the cam first makes contact with the other cable's metal sleeve (doggone it I know there's a word for that part, I don't remember it). I think when they hit it makes a rub that is inaudible until the drive is installed, and then is heard as it resonates in the hull.

I've got that creaking too on a 2005 Outback, happens with left foot going forward or both pedals at the same time. I had an extra drive well repair kit and changed the cams and bolts to new ones and still have the creak, tried a different drive, still have the creak...
Time to check the cam columns.

How about a little lube on the drum axel where it interacts with the knobs and hull?. We see a lot of wear / darkening in the area. Perhaps can also create squeeks?

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I checked the posts, no cracks. I do show darkening in that area so I cleaned that up with fine sand paper and adjusted the cams so the drive is tight at about 180 turn. No more creak...